Birchbox Beauty Samples

After a long weekend at home home (Hertfordshire) last week, I came back to work to find a little present on my desk from Birchbox. Talk about a Monday morning pick-me-up!

What is Birchbox? – In short, a Graze box full of beauty products! The Birchbox helps you to discover new products with a monthly subscription (this varies depending on how many months you sign up to).

So the only thing to do after receiving 5/6 samples is to write about them, of course.

I originally signed up to Birchbox as it was flooding my Facebook news feed with adverts about its”Birchday” (Birthday), where they were offering a present for everyone. My random present was 50% off my first box… Even more of an incentive to try it out.

When I signed up they asked to enter details about my skin type, hair colour etc so they could match me up with the right products. Although I have seen some reviews online saying this was a waste of time, I think it worked quite well for me as the products I received were tailored to my complexion and features.

The only downside for me was the process of delivery. It wasn’t that great as up until right now it still says order pending on my account, even though I have received the box! However, it does state on their website they can have problems with the status updates, and to contact them if you have any queries about your orders, which I did, and received an email the next day offering to send a new box if I still hadn’t received it – good customer service!

One feature for the box this month was that we got to pick the design we wanted to see on our box (we could choose from two). And so I chose the “up, up, and away” design.

“Up, Up, and Away”

I think it’s really cool to add a personal touch like the design of the box, because you can become so much more engaged with the product and its design.

When I opened the box I was surprised at the way it was packaged, and thought it had all been done tastefully in the canvas bag, and it almost gave it a feel of luxury.

Birchbox Sneak Peek

I was also grateful for the little booklet that came inside the box, which tells you WHAT the product is, as well as HOW to use it. This is something I definitely needed as I am not the kind of person to understand beauty jargon, let alone how to use it.

Birchbox Brochure

Ok, so now I’ve given Birchbox some good feedback, what about the products?

Laura Mercier Facial Polish

Laura Mercia Face Polish

So this is designed for people who can suffer from dry patches of skin or even flakiness, which I do actually get in between my eyebrows and the middle of my forehead (T Zone – I think?). I naturally have combination skin, so this product for me is great for balancing out the texture of my skin.

It really helped with the dry skin, and made my skin feel unbelievably smooth. It says in the booklet to use every 2-3 days; so I will until it runs out!

Bliss Lemon and Sage Soapy Suds

Bliss Lemon & Sage Soapy Suds

Ok, so when I run out of bubble bath I do fall criminal to emptying half a bottle of body wash into the bath just to try and make up for it, so this product for me is a great duo for a body wash bubble bath combo.

I mean, I’m not too sure about the smell of the product (purely because Lemon and Sage sounds like something I should be marinating my salmon fillet in) but it was nice and foamy and made me feel clean!

My honest opinion though; it didn’t work that well as a bubble bath. I mean, when I have a bubble bath, I have a BUBBLE bath. There just wasn’t enough bubbles.

Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil in Humble Brag

Humble Brag

I love lipstick names and Humble Brag is just fitting for the colour of this product.

Ultimately, I loved this lip pencil. It wasn’t too bright and applying it was easy. Normally with lipstick I use a lip liner as well, but this one acts as both. Its easy enough to use on its own, but if you want to get right to the edge of the lip you can use an extra brush.

It didn’t last all day, and I did have to re-apply a couple of times – not too much hassle though due to the easy application!

John Masters Organics Citrus Neroli De-tangler

John Masters De-Tangler

If there is one thing my boyfriend hates, it’s when my hair is knotty or tangled. Any girl with damaged, coloured, thick or curly hair (pretty much every girl) can relate to this.

I have never bought a de-tangling serum/ cream and always used sprays (or nothing at all). I was pleasantly surprised with this product as I (honestly) didn’t think it would make my hair much different; but it did! It was so smooth and tangle free all day.

I wouldn’t use it every time I wash my hair, just because the product is quite thick and could in effect make it more greasy than smooth.

The only recommendation I have for this product is that it could smell a lot nicer! Then it would be the perfect product – de-tangling, softening and smelling gooood.

Benefit the POREfessional: License to Blot

POREfessional: License to Blot

I use Benefit a lot when it comes to the basics, and the products work really well with my skin.

With having combination skin, this product actually worked a treat on those areas that I find get oily, especially throughout the day.

I did find however, that I had to apply it again towards the end of my working day, but overall it’s a good product.

The Birchbrush

The Birchbrush

I have been using a tangle tamer/ mane tamer for quite a while now as I find it works so much better than a usual hair brush and avoids me ripping my hair out, but this one is just so much cuter than mine!

It’s actually a lot smaller than the one that I already have, so this one will be perfect as a handbag accessory. My only recommendation for this would be to have a handle on it, as its quite an awkward shape to hold. (It flew out of my hand a few times when using it!)

Would I purchase Birchbox again?

Yes, I would. I found it great for trying new products.

Some would say that it is quite expensive to pay for samples of this size, but my argument to that is that I don’t have the time or the expertise to visit department stores and find products to test!

It’s convenient and easy to test the products, with a guide to tell you how you should be using them.

Any improvements?

For me it was just the delivery incident which made me frustrated but I was excited when the box was delivered. Another thing for me would be that if they offered student discount I would be more inclined to sign up to a subscription!